News:
29/6/99
Police Charge Woodwards
- Louise's parents face fund fraud charges
LOUISE WOODWARD's parents have been charged by Cheshire Police
over alleged fraudulent dealing with their daughter's appeal
fund. They have been bailed to appear at Chester Magistrates
Court.
The move comes after a ten month investigation previously
reported here on LondonNet. One of the key allegations is a claim
of 9,000 UKP for accommodation at the home of Louise's former
lawyer Elaine Whitfield Sharp. Sharp, who spectacularly spiralled
out of control in a maelstrom of drink and drugs last year, blew
the cover off the allegedly phoney expense claim after being
sacked from Woodward's team.
"Police were here in January. They talked to a lot of
people about a lot of things. They were very thorough. When I
made inquiries a few weeks ago I was told the matter was going
to the Crown Prosecution Service." said Sharp.
The couple were initially arrested on the 14 May and bailed
until 1 July 1999. Louise's father Gary and mother Sue were questioned
separately. At the time of his arrest Gary, who now lives with
his mistress Margaret Hornsby, told the press "I'm sorry
I can't talk to you".
Louise, now 20, is currently studying law in London.
14/5/99
Police Arrest Woodwards
- Louise's parents face fund fraud questions
LOUISE WOODWARD's parents have been questioned by Cheshire
Police over alleged fraudulent dealing with their daughter's
appeal fund.
The move comes after a nine month investigation previously
reported here on LondonNet. One of the key allegations is a claim
of 9,000 UKP for accommodation at the home of Louise's former
lawyer Elaine Whitfield Sharp. Sharp, who spectacularly spiralled
out of control in a maelstrom of drink and drugs last year, blew
the cover off the allegedly phoney expense claim after being
sacked from Woodward's team.
"Police were here in January. They talked to a lot of
people about a lot of things. They were very thorough. When I
made inquiries a few weeks ago I was told the matter was going
to the Crown Prosecution Service." said Sharp.
The couple were arrested last week and bailed until 1 July
1999. Louise's father Gary and mother Sue were arrested and questioned
separately. Gary who now lives with his mistress Margaret Hornsby
told the press "I'm sorry I can't talk to you".
Louise, now 20, is currently studying law in London.
(20/11/98)
Woodward Faces New Trial
- Former au pair gets say in civil hearing
LOUISE Woodward, the former au pair convicted of the manslaughter
of baby Matthew Eappen, is to be represented in a civil hearing
brought by the child's parents.
Woodward was unable to afford legal representation at an earlier
hearing, but has now obtained the services of Liverpool based
lawyer Paul Barrow. He said "This now allows Louise the
opportunity to put her side across".
However the judge has warned Woodward that she could face
punitive damages if found liable in the hearing.
Woodward Faces New Day of Judgement
- Eappen Family want US court to award
multi million dollar damages
- However Woodward could avoid paying a penny to family
LOUISE Woodward, the former au pair convicted last year of
murder then manslaughter, is set to face a multi million dollar
damages award this week.
Lawyers for the parents of baby Matthew Eappen will address
a Massachusetts judge submitting their views on the scale of
damages warranted. Woodward is not presenting a case in the matter
as she does not have sufficient funds to fight the matter.
However, there remain doubts as to whether any money will
ever be paid over by the Cheshire woman, who is now a student
in London. It is unlikely UK courts will enforce any civil award
in this country say legal experts. If Louise earns money in the
US from any spin-offs following her trial then these could be
seized by American courts. She could also be held if she returned
to the US, owing sums under any court order. However, it can
be taken as read that the North American country does not feature
high on her list of planned holiday destinations.
Meanwhile detectives Cheshire are investigating Louise Woodward's
family in relation to possible fraud offences. (3/11/98)
Woodward changed her story says cop
SERGEANT William Byrne who interviewed Louise Woodward immediately
after baby Matthew Eappen was rushed to hospital claims she changed
her story. He says Louise initially said she "dropped"
the baby. However, the "interview" was not taped and
no lawyer was present at the time. Louise denies the claim saying
cops at the scene "put words in my mouth". (25/6/98)
Woodward Gets Her Say
- Nanny hints at real killers
- Eappen family criticise comments
LOUISE WOODWARD has pointed the finger at the Eappen family
in the continuing controversy surrounding baby Matthew Eappen's
death.
"If the parents didn't do it, who did?" said Woodward,
20, in an interview screened on BBC TV Monday night. Woodward,
convicted of killing Matthew by a US court, gave her fullest
statement on the case since being accused of murder last summer.
Now back in the UK, the former nanny is thought to have seen
the BBC interview as the beginning of a process she hopes will
clear her name, at least with the British public.
Lawyers for the Eappen family criticised Woodward's comments
saying she appeared to be seeking to establish herself as a TV
celebrity.
Meanwhile the Woodward family is denying press reports that
Louise's father, Gary, is having a secret affair and that it
did anything wrong in accepting a UKP40,000 payment from a British
newspaper. The controversial payment was for legal expenses,
the family argue. 23/6/98
Louise Woodward Arrives Home
- Press frenzy as Au Pair returns to UK
- UK media set to ignore US judge's gagging order
LOUISE Woodward has arrived back in England after her 717
day American nightmare.
The au pair jetted back to England in the first class cabin
of British Airways flight BA212 landing at London's Heathrow
airport early Friday morning. She then transferred to Manchester
en route to Elton, Cheshire via a press
conference at the city's airport.
The 20 year old will now face a media onslaught as she tries
to return to normality. Although Boston judges have placed a
gagging order on Woodward - preventing her from profiting from
her story - this is likely to be meaningless to the British and
European media.
Such is the hunger to get her story, Louise was accompanied
by dozens of the English press on her flight to freedom. Some
journalists even shared her first class cabin on the jet eager
to be first to secure exclusive rights to her traumatic tale.
There is sure to be a huge US backlash if Louise does sell
out to the highest bidder. The Eappen family have already started
a civil suit against Woodward which could claim back some of
the monies she might earn from telling all. However this may
only be effective where money is earned and held in the USA.
Louise herself has said she wants to return to her studies
and live a normal life. This seems an impossible task. Unless
she plans studying the flora and fauna of the Gobi desert in
Outer Mongolia that is.
What Louise said:
Press conference
details
Louise Woodward Free!
- Au Pair set to return to UK
- Appeal Court upholds manslaughter verdict and sentence
The Supreme Court of Massachusetts has upheld Louise Woodward's
conviction for the manslaughter of baby Matthew Eappen.
However it also upheld her sentence, of time served, thus
paving the way for the 20 year old from Chester to return home
to Britain immediately. The judges also ruled that she should
never care for children again and that her family should not
profit from her crime. The ruling was by a majority of four judges
to three in the Supreme Court, Boston.
Relatives and friends in Elton, Chester, Louise's home village,
have welcomed the decision to let Louise return home. Meanwhile
the Eappen family looked despondent at the news of Louise's big
let-off.
Louise's mother Sue said the news was "absolutely fantastic",
family friend Roy McCabe said he was "over the moon".
Once the dust settles in this over-drawn out affair Woodward
may have second thoughts as to today's ruling. Yes she returns
home, but her guilt has now been confirmed by jury, trial judge
and supreme court judges. In recent weeks comments by those once
close to her campaign have further tarnished her image.
First there were accusations by her former legal representative,
Elaine Whitfield Sharp, that the au pair was indeed guilty. This
was followed by appeal organiser Jenny Jones's claim that Louise's
mother Sue fraudulently took money from the fund. Time will tell,
but somehow you feel you have not heard the last of Ms Woodward.
16/6/98
Louise's Father Rejects Fund Fraud Claims
- Appeal money has not been misused says Gary
Woodward
LOUISE Woodward's father Gary has emphatically denied claims
that his wife Sue has misused funds in their daughter's appeal
fund.
"I can see no reason for these allegations" he said.
One accusation centres around an alleged forged invoice for
9000 UKP. Sue Woodward is said to have claimed the sum in respect
of housing costs, even though the family she was staying with
say she was never charged.
The host family in question is of course the Whitfield-Sharps.
Lawyer Elaine Whitfield-Sharp was recently sacked by Louise and
her legal team for speaking out about her doubts of her client's
innocence. Whitfield-Sharp also said the former au-pair's family
was "very low class".
A co-founder of the Louise Woodward fighting fund, Jean Jones,
yesterday joined others in claiming that the au-pair's mother
took money from the appeal. Jones who recently resigned from
the fund said "it became money - the money became God".
Woodward's Mum Accused of Fraud
Whitfield-Sharp alleges Susan Woodward made false
accommodation claim
EX-LOUISE lawyer Whitfield-Sharp alleges that Susan Woodward,
mother of au-pair Louise, claimed up to 9,000 UKP for accommodation
expenses while living with the attorney.
This follows the lawyer allegedly describing the Woodwards
as "very low class" in a taped phone call published
in a newspaper. The Woodwards dispute the new claim. Trustees
for Louise's fighting fund will meet today to examine the allegations.
Their local MP in the UK, Andrew Miller, said "it is
black propaganda and needs to be killed".
The latest twist in the au pair's long appeal wait follows
the weekend's positive news that one of the key prosecution "expert"
witnesses has been dropped from State work. The medical expert's
testimony came under fire for Defence witnesses and Louise's
legal team.
Louise lawyer faces probe
Disgraced Louise Woodward lawyer Elaine Whitfield Sharp is
facing a misconduct probe by US legal authorities following her
remarkable breach of client confidentiality. The 44 year old
is already touting around publishers for a planned book on the
case.
Louise Sacks Sharp
Back-stabbing lawyer gets the push
AU PAIR Louise Woodward has sacked Elaine Whitfield Sharp,
the lawyer who allegedly believes she is guilty of murdering
baby Matthew Eappen.
Louise acted under the advice of her remaining legal team,
Barry Scheck, Harry Silvergate and Andrew Good all of whom maintain
their belief in their client's innocence.
Whitfield Sharp was damaged by accusations from the police
officer who arrested her on a drink driving charge that she now
believed Louise was guilty. Despite denying these accusations
she was then caught expressing the same views in a taped telephone
conversation with a friend, segments of which were subsequently
published in a national newspaper. In the call she labelled Louise
a "duplicitous monster".
Woodward should hear the result of her appeal in a matter
of days. The rulings will be published first on LondonNet, for
more info see our Louise feature.
LondonNet Comment
|
Features
LondonNet Comment
by P.D.Clee, LondonNet Publisher
and Barrister-at-Law
"....Elaine Whitfield-Sharp's admissions first to a traffic-cop
then to a friend in a taped call, if true, surely finally rule
out any chance that Louise can be dealt with fairly in this mess..."
...more
The defence submissions on 4 November 1997 included the following
matters which may have prejudiced her trial...(Click
for Grounds of Appeal details)
DONATIONS to the "The Woodward Appeal" have kept
on growing. For details of you can help click
here. Letters of support for Louise and her family can be
sent to (Click here for
details)
Have your say...email us
"there are reasonable doubts..."
"In my heart and in my experience, I think she is guilty..."
95% say not guilty | 5% say guilty
Click here to read a selection
of your letters so far
NB We have been inundated with letters from around the world,
we will read every one and publish a selection of your views
on these pages
Links to other Louise
Woodward Pages:
Don't forget ... LondonNet's News
Headlines
Messages from Louise
Following her release Louise has told reporters:
"I am overjoyed. Thank you for
all your support"
Louise passed the following message to her supporters through
the News of the World newspaper on Sunday:
"I've had incredible support.
I want people in Britain to know that I'm not giving up. With
your help I'm going to win. Thanks for all your support."
More information will appear shortly
Previous news
from our archive: US backlash | Campaign continues
| LOUISE FREE! | Sentence | Appeal Hearing | Judgement delivered
on WWW | DA offers Louise manslaughter | "My Louise went
like a lamb to the slaughter"; boyfriend | Jurors admit
miscarriage | Alternate jurors outraged | Life sentence | D-Day
for Louise
Lawyer "I know Louise is guilty"
Tapes: Whitfield-Sharp brands Louise a "duplicitous
monster"
Au Pair planned to sell her story, family is "very low class"
LondonNet Comment
The ex-Louise Woodward lawyer, Elaine Whitfield-Sharp, recently
caught for drink driving made remarkable claims in a taped telephone
call regarding her client. Excerpts from the taped call were
published in UK newspapers.
In a staggering breach of client confidentiality she branded
the au pair as a "duplicitous, lying monster" from
a "very, low class family" who lied over plans to sell
her story.
She also said that the she now believes the au pair killed
baby Matthew Eappen.
The lawyer who was stopped by police for drink driving, supposedly
repeated the confession while at the roadside. Whitfield-Sharp
sat next to Louise throughout her trial. Following the police's
claims she denied the confession claim, but after the latest
breach of client-confidentiality her position seems increasingly
untennable.
 Looking Good For Louise
- Seven Supreme Court Judges hear Au-Pair's Appeal
- Prosecution stumble in Boston Hearing
- Status Quo, Retrial or Dismissal likely
Click Here for more
Previous Louise
Louise
Is Guilty Claims Cop
Traffic cop says Woodward's lawyer confessed
AN unidentified US traffic cop has claimed that Louise Woodward's
lawyer, Elaine Whitfield-Sharp, said that the she believes the
au pair killed baby Matthew Eappen.
The lawyer was stopped by the policeman for drink driving
and supposedly made the confession while at the roadside. Whitfield-Sharp,
who sat next to Louise throughout her trial, adamently denies
the allegation.
Unfortunately for Woodward the timing might be seen to preempt
the Supreme Court's appeal ruling due very soon.
Louise Ruling Imminent
- Au pair Woodward's anxious wait is almost over
- Supreme Court's findings to be published first on the Internet
- Barry Scheck backs UK-style Justice programme for US TV
Au pair Woodward's wait is almost over
Louise Woodward's fate should be known very soon according
to her defence team. If the Appeal Court upholds Judge Zobel's
sentence or quashes her conviction as seems likely the Cheshire
au pair will be free to return home to the UK.
Supreme Court's findings to be published First on the Internet
The Appeal Court's ruling will be published through the internet.
News organisations will receive their findings by email in a
legal first. LondonNet will bring you the result as soon as it
announced.
At the appeal hearing several weeks ago the Supreme Court
judges seemed to warm toward the defence submissions while giving
the state prosecutors a severe grilling over their handling of
crucial trial evidence.
Barry Scheck backs UK-style Justice programme for US TV
In a separate development one of Louise's defence team, Barry
Scheck has welcomed a proposal from UK broadcaster David Jessel
to introduce a US version of his Trial And Error programme stateside.
The influential and award winning documentary series hosted
here by Jessel examines "miscarriages of justice".
Drawing on the skills and experience of investigative journalists
and senior jurists working alongside forensic and medical experts
the series has led to several wrongly convicted prisoners being
released following successful post-programme appeals.
Scheck told the Independent newspaper "What Trial And
Error does is terrific. It would be great if we could get journalists
involved in that way. In the past I just gave NBC stories for
free. The lack of funding for poor people in court is more pronounced
in the US. Nothing can guarantee the conviction of an innocent
person more than a bad lawyer or one that lacks funds for research
and expert witnesses". |
Louise Woodward Index